We were up and going again this morning earlier than we would have liked. It sure felt like a short night since we didn’t crawl into bed until after 2:30am. But the bed felt good and we fell right asleep. When I went down in the morning to find out what room Stephen and Russ were in and to check on getting the boxes that we had left earlier, I found Russ standing at the desk, inquiring about whether we had made it in. It was good to see him! Stephen, Russ, Todd and I gathered in the kitchen for breakfast and met with Charles to organize our schedule.
James picked us up at 9:45 to take us to a hall which we had rented for our seminar for the Nairobi men. After introductions had been made and greetings shared, we began. In the morning Todd presented his study on Biblical Interpretation, and after lunch I presented the study on the Pastor’s Job. Once again, good questions were asked which led us to cover other valuable topics that are plaguing the church today. The same things that we find so appalling in the churches in the US are going on here in Africa as well.
As we closed our conference, I was reminded once again of the following words of the Apostle Paul: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ” – 2 Timothy 4:2-5
Our men here in East Africa are facing the same struggles here that we are facing in the US. But they are asking for our help to grow in the Word and to be better prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in them. There is so much ground to cover and so little time that we are able to spend with each group of men. There is so much more that needs to be done, but which we cannot accomplish in the short time that we have here each year. We continue to pray that the Lord would provide according to His good and gracious will.
At the same time we also give thanks for how the Lord does continue to provide. When Russ and Stephen came over they brought three more boxes containing books and other items for the work here. In all we have six containers of materials for the churches here. I had already given one box to Charles for the Nairobi group, but I sorted through the materials again and put together another box for the pastors and churches here. It contained Bibles, Catechisms, Bible History books, Dogmatics books, Devotion books, Hymnals, Spokesman issues, a laptop computer and much more. All of these materials were donated by members of the CLC for our work overseas! What a help these books have been in the past, and continue to be as they continue to grow in the knowledge of the great things God has done for us. On behalf of our overseas Missions, I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in the Lord’s work by donating items like these over the past few years. Your help in this way is greatly needed and appreciated! If you have questions about how you can help or what items would be beneficial to donate, please contact me at ndmayhew@juno.com. Thank you!
A picture of our group after finally getting together! (From L to R) Stephen, Mike, Todd, and Russ.
After some more work dividing materials for our various districts over here and a trip to the Internet Café down the street, we returned to our rooms for some more work. We ate a late supper and then Charles arrived to take us to the airport to pick up Michael Gurath. He was scheduled to arrive at 9:00pm, and while his plane was on time, it took him almost an hour to get through immigration, collect his bags and clear customs. It had been a long flight for him from Phoenix via London and he was exhausted. We visited a little on the way back to the hotel, but look forward to doing more tomorrow on the bus ride to Arusha. We give thanks to the Lord for his safe arrival and look forward to having him with us during the remaining weeks.
More later....
In Christ,
Nathanael
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!” – Psalm 105:1-3
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